Interestingly for nantwichexile, Hardaker has played the last couple of Under 20s games in the centres.

I wonder if that puts him ahead of Aston Wilson?

Not too sure Batley that you'll find a chapter in any coaching manual with the heading "Happy Knack"

As I recall, Bobby Charlton had the same happy knack when it came to toe ending a football, but until I see him pulling on a Man U jersey, then I suspect both Fergie and I will be judging players not on their past, but on their current on field performances.



Indeed, all the accolades given in a couple of the preceding posts, simply highlights Smiffy's lack of form since he returned from his spectacular failure in Union. He's living on past glories, and we cannot afford to carry passengers.

Time to thank him for his efforts of 2/3/4 years ago, free up his space,and start rebuilding the current squad.

Indeed: a dilemma



Problem with some of you guys is you're all utterly devoid of the vivid imagination commensurate with myself.
You're all so transparently envious at your comparative paucity in that area. It's very sad.

Someone out of Smith, Hardaker and BJB will need to have a bash in the centres unless they want to play only when somebody gets injured next season (asuming we don't sign a centre). Hardaker may be a bit skinny at the moment but he could well fill out and fit the bill.

Assuming Leeds don't go out and recruit ...... Ryan Hall to centre - Jones-Bishop, Hardaker, Smith covering wing/full-back.

Hall is a good strong runner, getting the ball in his hands more often could pay dividends. One game this season he made 11 tackle busts from the wing position - if that could be replicated more regularly from the centre position opposition defences would be in scramble mode and all of Jones-Bishop/Hardaker/Watkins strike me as having more toe to finish the half breaks if the pass is on.

The best replacement for a Senior is another Senior type and Hall has the attributes to be that player amongst the current panel of outside backs.

I dont think Hall has the handling skills to be a centre. I think he is a very good winger, I think he could be a decent centre, but not anywhere near the level he is at winger.

Smith, i believe, will come good again with another pre-season behind him and a set position.

Hall has no less handling skills than the majority of players used in the role for the last couple of seasons, indeed he probably has more but rarely has the opportunity to express them.

I'd like to see him used there and would cite Francis Meli at St Helens as an example of how it could go.

Smith has a long way to go before he should command a centre spot at Leeds on this season's showings both offensively and defensively.

fyp

Square pegs in round holes is a blue print for another poor season. Seniors replacement is years over due (lol at the watkins fanboys 3 years ago), lets go out splash some money and get at least one proven, established natural centre. Fill both 3/4 vacancies will be impossible considering how tough it is to get 1 proper signing out of GH, 1 is a must though.

fwiw i also think BJB is the best full back in the squad.

He'd probably by more Ryan Atkins than senior, but if we don't get a new signing, he'd be the best option there

Ok maybe I am not the only one on here blessed with imagination and foresight



As I have stated previously IMO the club's best presently available threequarters are Hardaker, BJB, Watkins and Hall. I just wasn't sure in the exact best make up of the four.

For sure both Ablett and Delaney should be filling in at centre in extreme emergencies. The idea that either should hold down the position on a regular basis is risible for a club with the lofty ambitions a club like Leeds should possess.

Delaney is the better second rower of the two ( and will one day make a good prop )... Ablett is best at LF. He has the handling skills, but not quite enough hard running grunt/tackle busting ablity to make a top class second rower.

.....Smith will have to battle it out with Webb for FB ( who can cover the halves ).

However IF the club does sign a world class centre then BJB should be given first shot at FB.
New guy and Hall to centre, Watkins and Hardaker on the flanks.